Sunday, February 8, 2009

Repo! The Genetic Opera

A mix of goth, steampunk, rock-opera and gore, this contender for the next cult-classic is now available on DVD. There is a lot of goth cred... Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) plays the guilt-ridden Repo Man. The director Darren Lynn Bousman gets his cred from directing the Saw sequels. Sarah Brightman (origininated the role of Christine on Broadway for Phantom of the Opera) plays an ethereal opera singer Blind Mag in some stunning costumes. The film is based on a stage play and rolled from there.

Masterpiece theater, this is not. This is a gory, horror-tinged story with catchy tunes and an actually entertaining, non-Paris-like Paris Hilton. The story set in a dark world where organ failure is common among population, an evil genetic company sells you replacement organs and is quick to repossess them if you cannot pay. There are "scalpel sluts" (people who are addicted to plastic surgery) and "zydrate addicts" (a drug drawn from the dead that helps you through surgery). Paris Hilton's character of course belongs to both categories. Paul Sorvino plays the evil head of the genetic company.

If you are bored of watching the Rocky Horror Picture for the 934th time, give this one a shot. If it seems sketchy to you, check out the well-designed website for a taste. Watch the trailer HERE